Wow, I don't really remember the last time I posted on this blog, but I want to go back to putting some things on here that are just from me personally and not any group I'm working with.

This past weekend I attended a leaders' retreat, and before this weekend we were all encouraged to work on our creative side and bring something we created to present to the group.  Well, I'm not generally using my creative side and sometimes think I don't have much creativity at all, but I sat down a few weeks ago and determined that I would write a poem about where I've been these last few months, how God has been working on me, and how I see it all.

TIDE

They are not pleasant,

Nor beautiful nor peaceful,

These visions of the one who bore me into the

World, gasping for life's last breath.

Saline drops line cheeks.

Eyes tighten.

Grief floods in waves, tide rolls in,

And the losing-pain stings as

Salt in the wound loosely bound.

Not grieving as one without hope--

Just as one without “Momma.”

Early memories of health and joy

Winnowed out by weakened limbs and empty eyes.

Wishing not to have witnessed

But thankful to be present—bittersweet.

Prayers of grateful regret.

Broken-heart healing, wound re-opened,

Cleansed and bound again.

Father-surgeon bandages knowing the hurt.

Divine saline touches cheek from above.

Daddy's eyes tighten, tide rolls out.

By Wendie Beddingfield

Leadership Coaching

"Why do I need life-coaching? I'm able to hear God and figure out what he wants me to do all by myself. That's for people who have no clue."

That's what I thought whenever someone mentioned I might want to talk to a person she knew who helped people through coaching. I was in the throws of not knowing exactly what God wanted me to do when I was considering getting some seminar training (to lead seminars for a particular ministry) but I was unable to finish the last task of the application process for some weird reason. I was praying, seeking God, and then I had a dream I believe was from God that cleared up some of the questions and gave me motivation and clarity to move forward into a new avenue of ministry and focus.

So, in this particular case, yes, I was able to hear God and figure out what he wants me to do with his help, but I've recently found an incredible benefit of this life-coaching that I've never even thought about previously.

I was asked several months ago to consider getting some training with a group of people in our church to coach others in leadership--especially those leading home teams or community groups as they are now called at New Hope. I was originally interested in getting one (a leadership coach) for me! I was one of those leaders (am one) who needs someone to listen to me, to encourage me and help me stay motivated to keep serving, but I never considered that I might be one of those people who could facilitate that also.

Fast forward to today....So, now I'm 8 weeks into the class; just 2 more to go. I have a peer-coach of my own who I also coach as our way of working out what we've learned and getting some good experience before we are released to try our own "powerful questions" and listening skills on other leaders. :) You know, I have never been so hopeful about a certain area of my life that I've been wanting to change for years. I have had the information in my head, and I even know what has worked for me in the past. However, I have been missing some very vital components for this transformation to happen that I am now receiving through my peer-coach's willingness to help me focus on accomplishing this goal!

Yes, it's early. I've only been officially working on this goal for a couple weeks, but I have my coach for at least 3 months and I'm going to take full advantage of her! There are other areas in my life that I have been wanting to see a change--like in my daily time with God in prayer and Bible study and just listening and journaling. Just because I know I will be asked every week how that is going and I know that I will need to be specific and give reasons why I didn't get to it because my peer-coach is standing in for God and is Jesus' representative to me--I'm sticking to it and REALLY enjoying it and hearing God speak to me on a regular basis. That is just the beginning, but I'm trying to keep it fairly simple to start with and celebrate the successes as they come.

I set my own goal; I set my own action steps; and I accomplish so much more already than by just saying to myself that "I need to start doing that."

I'll try to keep you posted, but if you have the opportunity to meet with a life-coach or a leadership coach who trusts in God to speak to his people, act now! Don't delay!

***I also want to put at the end of this a special thanks to Kristi Westergard who listened to God and brought the vision of leadership coaching to New Hope and Karen Bontrager who is an excellent teacher and coach herself. You two ladies have indeed brought something very special to me--focus, energy and motivation to accomplish a life-altering goal!

Bible Studies

We had some really great discussion about raising our kids to know what God's word says about handling money and possessions and then the next week on investing, especially in heavenly treasure! God's really been working on Gabriel and I in the area of disciplining our children, allowing them to feel the weight of the consequences of their actions (without feeling the responsibility to save them/or guilt either). Oooohhh, have we been tried recently!

We had our last meeting on Thursday and will be celebrating our victory of getting through it with a brunch this week on Thursday at 10AM.

On the 16th, we'll be starting a very informal Bible study at my home at 10AM--kids in tow. We'll be going over the first part of the book called Desiring God's Own Heart: 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles (The New Inductive Study Series) by Kay Arthur. I have twelve books on order if anyone wants me to reserve a copy--the cost is $5.75 each. I believe you can also pick them up at your local Christian book store for a slightly higher cost. As I said, we'll only be studying the first part of the book, or just 1 Samuel, so we can finish by the time school is out for the year. It is very easy to continue on with the study on your own, and I would encourage you to do so during the summer months when most groups will not be meeting regularly.

Click here to get more information on the study guide.

Pictures of the children

Last Two Sessions -- from Money (for women only)

We're in the home stretch--just two more weeks of our Bible study on handling money and possessions! Are you hanging in there? Have you seen some fruit in your financial and/or personal life? Care to share????

We'll be covering an important aspect of finances that many of us went without as children--teaching our children the truth that we've learned from God's word about money and possessions. Even if you don't have children or they are fully grown and out of the house, you can still receive some great insight into discipling others and sharing His truth with others that have not heard these truths yet.

Next week, I'd love to have each of you share one or more of the blessings you have received or witnessed through this study. Maybe share a goal or two that you have for the future and the steps you plan to take as you reach for those goals. We're all on a journey toward growing closer to God, and none of us has reached the end, so let's encourage one another on to good deeds and following God's will for our lives and sharing with others the great things He has done! Be thinking of what you might like to share!

(note: this is not required but requested)